Anthony Russell talking on FaceTime with a convicted criminal in prison
(Image: Mirrorpix.com)

The prisoner called Anthony his ‘mate’
(Image: Mirrorpix.com)

Anthony hit the headlines this week after shocking fans by FaceTiming a notorious prisoner.

He was caught video chatting with jailed Michael Trevillion, who was using a mobile phone that had been smuggled into prison.

28-year-old Anthony was at the ITV studios when he spoke to the man, once described as ‘Merseydie’s most wanted’ on FaceTime.

Michael, seemingly using an account under the name John Smith, posted a screenshot of the call on his Facebook page on October 14, writing: "Just had a belter chat with my mate Anthony Russell an [sic] he’s got the X Factor xxx"

He is serving four years for burglary.

Anthony and mentor Louis Tomlinson
(Image: Twitter)

Sources claimed Anthony knew the caged crook from parties, but sources in Anthony’s camp denied he knew the prisoner, insisting he had called the singer on Facebook messenger out of the blue and he answered to see who it was.

They said he had no idea the man was in prison or using an illegal mobile phone.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Anyone found behaving this way can expect to spend significantly longer behind bars.

"We have invested £2 million to detect and block mobile phones to prevent them being used in the first place."